Sheet feeding mechanism eor printing presses



c. F. RooT Magch l5, 1932.A

SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING FRESSES Original Filed May 27, 19245 Sheets-Sheet 0 A T mlll T Y Z .l Il."

CY/zarlar Iop c. F. FooTl March I5, 1932.

SHEET FEAEDI'NG HECHANISM .FOR PRINTING' original Filed May 27. 1924 v5Sheets-stmt` 2 C. F. ROOT 'March 15, 1932.

SHEET FEEDING MECHAN1$M FOR PRINTING PRESSES Original Filed May 27. 19245 Sheets-Sheetv I5 (kafka/1%? my? m y? c. F. RooT Re. 18,383"

SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING FRESSES March l5, 1932.

Original Filed May 27. 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Y www Cy/zarlewjjoo C. F.ROOT March l5, 1932.

SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING'xnEssr-:s

Original Filed May 2T. 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 o bo Reissued Mar. 15,17932 UNITED vs'r.acres PATENT rofl-FICEv CHARLES F. ROOT, 0F CLEVELAND,OHIO,)ASSIGNOR TO THE CHANDLER & PRICE CONE- PANY, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO, ACORPORATION OF OHIO SHEET FEEDING MECHANsM FOR PRINTING :PRESSESoriginal No. 1,610,476, dated December 14, 122e,V serial N'o. 716,181,filed May 27, 1924; Application for reissue ined March 7; 1927. serialNo. 173,505.

The present improvements which may be regarded as relating in general`to mechanism for transferring sheets toor from printing presses havebeen designed with particular regard to mechanism of this sort intendedfor use with so-called Gordon or platen printing presses. The peculiardifficulties involved in providing a satisfactory automatic sheet feed(as well as sheet delivery) need not be detailed, being well understood.lVhile numerous attempts have been made to provide devices of this sort,only a relatively small amount have found even limited commercial useand all are characterized not only by being complex in construction, butalso by preventing free and convenient access to the press.

One object of the present invention, accordingly, is to provide a sheettransfer mechan'ism that may be readily attachedY to existing presseswith little or no alteration in their structure and that when attachedor installed Will not unduly encumber the press or be in the way of theoperator. A further object is to provide a mechanism thatwill beextremely simple and compact in construction with relatively few movingparts and these so formed and disposed as not to be likely to get out oforder. At the same time provision is made for necessary adjustment ofparts whereby the' suction fingers or equivalent sheet engaging meansmay be. adjusted so as to locate the sheets accurately on the platen ofthe press.

The present invention presents an improvement o-n the inventiondisclosed in my copending application Serial No. 462,256- sheet feedingmechanism for printing presses.

Tof the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, theinvent-ion, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and thefollowing description setting forth in detail certain mechanismembodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, butyone of various mechanical 'forms in which the principle of thevinvention may be used.

In said annexed drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved sheettransfer mechanism as attached to a press of the type in hand, thelatter being shown in this, as well 'as in the succeeding figures', indotted outline only; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of such mechanism andpress; Fig. 3 is a side elevation ofthe same; Fig. t is a rear elevationof the upper portion of the mechanism as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, butwith theparts in a different operative position; Fig. 5 is a sideelevation of the upper portion of the mechanism, similar to that shownin Fig. 3, but with the parts in a dif-V` ferent adjusted position Fig.6 is a transverseA horizontal section of a detail with parts belowappearing in plan, the plane of the section being indicated by the line6 6, F igs. 2 .and 3; Fig. 7 is a horizontal section and Fig. 8 is atransverse vertical section of another detail, taken ,at right angles toeach other, as' indicated by the line` 7"-7, Fig. 9, and line 8 8', Fig.1, respectively, the partsin Fig. 7 appearing in the operative positionshown in Fig.l 4 Fig. 9 is a broken plan View on a larger rcale of aportion of the mechanism, specifically the leftl hand end of the detailshown in Fig. 7; and F igs.' 10, 1-1, 12 and 13 are transverse sectionsof such lastmentioned portion, the planes of such sections beingindicatedl by the lines 10-10, 11-11, 12 12 and 13 13, respectively,Fig. 9.

The press illustrated in the drawings, as previously indicated, i'softhe familiar platen or Gordon type and need not be further describedthan to notethe oscillatorily mounted platen 1, on which the sheetrequires to be placedpreliminarily to being brought into cont-act withthe form by the conjoint movement of such platen and of the opposite bed2, which carries such form in a' suitable chase (not shown). VIn theseveral general views illustrated in the drawings, the press is shownwith said platen in its sheet receiving position, the grippers 3,whereby the sheet is held onto the platen during the printing operation,being suitably raised'.`

For the purpose of illustration, I have chosen to show my improvedmechanism as arranged for transferring successive'v sheets from asuitable table vor support 4;, Which is o adjacent to the press.

adapted to. hold a stack 5 of such sheets onto the platen 1 when in theopen or sheetreceiving position shown in the several figures, as justexplained. It will be evident, however, that the principle of operationinvolved may just as well be applied to a reversal of this operation, i.e. to the transfer of successive sheets from such platen to a stack onthe table or another table similarly mounted Such table is shown in moreor less diagrammatic form, it being understood that it will be providedwith suitable elevating mechanism, preferably aut-omatic in character,whereby the upper surface y of the stack 5 may be maintained at asubstantially constant elevation. Various tables of this sort have beendevised and are on the market and since the construction of such tableforms no'part of the present invention, detailed illustration thereofhas been omitted as merely tending to confusion. This table, however, itwill be noted, is located wholly to the rear and at one side oftheplaten so as not to interfere in any way with access to the latter or toother parts of the press.

The'main supporting member of the sheet feeding or transferring device.consists of a vertical rod or shaft10, preferably tubular, that 'isoscillatorily supported in suitable -i bearings 11 attached to the oneside frame of the press, e. g. the'left-hand side, as shown in thedrawings. The upper of these bear-V ings may be attached directly tosuch side frame, while the lower, along withthe various operative partsassociated with such shaft, is carried by a supplemental frame orA plate12 that is adapted-to be bolted against the lower'portion ofsuch sideframe. A spur pinion-13, that Vis secured to shaft 10 by pin 13aimmediately above the lowermost bearing 11, serves at the same time asacollar whereby such shaft is supported on such bearing, while a tensionspringlll connected at one end with Aa radial projection 15 on thelowerfextremity of such shaft which projects through said bea-ring 11,and at its outer endto the plate 12, tends normally to rotate said shaftin a clockwise direction when regarded in plan (see Fig. 1). Y

Reciprocably mounted on the shaft 10 between bearings 11, or ratherbetween the uppermost of said bearings and said `pinion 13, is a sleeve16, the major portion of which is formed. with circular, or rather,arcuate, transverse teeth that constitute a circular rack 17 (see Fig.6). Just as shaft 10 constitutes the main supporting member for thesheet transferring member, so this sleeve may be regarded as a secondarysupport therefor; indeed, as will be presently explained, it is to thesleeve that the device in questionis the more directly connected. Apinion 18, mounted on a stud 19 that projects laterally from plate 12,meshes -with such rack 17 and is adapted upon being rotated ytoraise andlower sleeve 16, such raising and lowering being accomplishedpositively, as will be presently described, gravity assisting inreturning the sleeve to its lowermost position. Due to the circular formof rack 17, such raising and lowering of the sleeve may be carriedvoutindependently of or simultaneously with rotative movement of the sleeveas produced by rotation of pinion 13, it being understood that-thesleeve is'slidably keyed to the shaft 10 see Fig. 6) through the mediumof brac et 10av secured to said shaft and key 10b slidable in anaperture in said bracket, said key being secured tothe sleeve, so thatthe former partakes .of any rotative movement of the latter.,

An arm 20 is flxedly attached to the upper end of shaft 10 just abovethe-uppermost bearing 11 in which such shaft is held and serves tosupport in offset relation to said shaft a standard 21, said arm, andthus said standard, lying tothe rear of the axis of the shaft in theposition of parts shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, this corresponding with thenormal position of said shaft heretofore referred to. However, uponoscillation of the shaft in a clockwise directionV against spring 14,said arm and thus the standard 21 will be moved in a correspondingarcuate path about. the axis of the shaft. f

Surm'ounting standard 21 and fixedly secured thereto is a cap piece orbracket 22 that carries a transversely disposed shaft 23 and includes adepending portion 22a in which is formed an arcuate slot 24 that hassuch shaft as an axis. Oscillatorily mounted on shaft 23 is a frame 25that preferably comprises, as shown (see Figs. 1, 2 and7), two similarparallel guide members 26 that are spaced apart lengthwise ofvv suchshaft, the guide element f in each member consisting of an elongatedrectilinear slot 27, the upper end of which lies closely adjacent shaft23, while the lower end extends downwardly to a point adjacent thearm20.V A threaded stud 28 on one member 26 projects through the arcuateslot 24 in cap piece 22 and receives a "clamp nut 28a, by means of whichsuch member, and

.thus the companion member or the frame 25 as a whole, may be secured indesired angular position within the limits of said slot about the axisdefined by shaft 23.

Slidably held in one of the two guide members 26 is a bushing-29 andjournaled in said bushing is a tubular arm 30, said arm being disposedtransversely ofV and projecting through both of said guide membersandhavy upper end of sleeve 16.- Reciprocation of said sleeve producedin the manner liereinbefore set forth accordingly serves to reciprocatesaid tubular arm 30 with its extension 301 and parts carriedthereby in aplane defined by the guideways 27 in frame 25. Link .31 is hollow, asindicated, and at its lower end, preferably concentric with the point ofits pivotal attachment to arm 32, it is provided with a hose connection33, a hose 34, (see Figs'. 1 and 2) leading therefrom to a suitablesuction pump or equivalent mechanism whereby a vacuum may be created inlinlr 31 and member 30 when desired, it being noted that, as shown inFig. 7, suitable ports in the vupper end of said link and in saidtubular arm and member afford free communication between the two at alltimes.

A rocker 35, fixed to the outer end of tubular member 30a, is providedwith a roller 35a that travels on an inclined rib 37 integral with theadjacent guide member 26 as said` member, together with tubular arm 30,in which it is carried, is reciprocated lengthwise of the slot 27 insaid guide member. A tension spring 36 is provided to assist inretaining such roller at all times incontact with said rib, so that thelatter formsv in effect a cam which will impart a slight oscillatorymovement to the tubular member .30a incidentally to its aforesaidmovement. A separate plate 3S, adjustably secured by means of a setscrew 39 to the upper portion of rib 37, constitutes in efecta portionof the latter, the angularity of which may be varied so as to increasethe amount of oscillatory movement imparted to tubular member 30l in theupper portion of its movement in the guideways 27.

A tubular extension 40, in effect continues with tubular member 30a,receives a telescoping tube 41 that may be held therein in variouslongitudinal and angular positions about the common axis by means of a`clamp ring 42; and a second tube 43 is similarly fitted within saidtube 41 and held in adjusted longitudinal and angular position aboutsuch axis by means of a clamp ring 44. Said tubes 41 and 43 carrysimilar angular picker fingers 45, constituting the sheet engaging andmov-- ing devices, these being provided with suction tips 46 at theirouter ends, and the system of tubes just described being closed to theatmosphere save for such suction tips. Accordingly, when the latter arebrought into contact with a sheet of paper and a suitable suction iscreated within said tubes, as hereinbefore 'dscribed, such sheet will bepicked up or held, as the case may be, by these suction ti s.

pFor the purpose of imparting rotative or oscillatory movement topinions 13 and 18, respectively, in order in the one case to oscillateshaft'lO and in the other to reciprocate the sleeve 16, any suitablemeans `may be provided. The lpreferred means, as illustrated, consist ofa transverse driving shaft 50 journaled in suitable bearings 51 on themain frame of the press, the right-'hand end of said shaft, as viewed inFigsjl and 2, being connected by means of suitable gears 52 with theso-'called large gear 53 of the press. Said shaft 50, it will thus beseen, is rotated in unison with the movement of the various parts of thepress, including the platen 1 and bed 2.

At its opposite end, the left, as viewed in the figures just named,shaft 50 carries a disk camY 54 of the form clearly shown in Fig. 3,such cam contacting with a roller 55 on the adjacent or forward end of arack 56 that engages with pinion 13, said rack being carried by twolinks 57 oscillatorily attached to the plate 12. Cam 54 is thus adaptedto positively imparta counter-clockwise movement to the pinion 13, thespring 14 producing the return or clockwise movement, as alreadyexplained.

Shaft 50 also carries adjacent said cam 54 a second disc 60 that isprovided with a clam groove 61 of the form likewise best shown in Fig.3. Such groove engages a roller 62 on one arm 63 of a bell crank lever.The other arm 64 is formed with a segmental `gear 66 that meshes with apinion`67, fixed to or integral withv pinion 18. Oscillation of the bellcrank, thus composed of arms 63-and 64, as produced lby cam' groove 61,will accordingly serve to oscillate said" pinion 18v and thereby raiseand lower sleeve 16. Such raising and lowering of the sleeve will not beaffected by its rotative position as varied by the action of the rack 56on pinion 13 since the circular teeth 17 of'rack will remain times inmesh with pinion 18.

As shown in F ig. 3, a pump for producing the necessary vacuum at statedintervals may be combined with the other operating mechanisml justdescribed. Such pump will-conveniently take the form of a cylinder 70,oscillatorily attached at one end to plate 12 and suitably connectedwith the hose 34. The

at all piston (not-shown)k in said cylinder is reciprocated by means ofa rod 71 connected at its outer end with a crank 72 on shaft 50 so thatsaid piston will be reciprocated in unison with the movements of theother parts. Crank 72 is furthermore adjustable about shaft 50 so thatthe timing of the pumps operation may be varied.

It is very important to'pro'vide means for registering at the end of thefeeding stroke on the platen such sheet in order to secure properposition of the sheet. It will be understood that stops are provided on"the platen to determine the rear or inner position of the sheet, thelatter being brought against these stops by the swinging movementimparted'to the picker fingers'. Astop or stops4 are also providedagainst which the sheet is broughtat the end -by a lateral shiftingmovement.

-As best shown in Figs.; f7 and 9, the .tube 40, to whichtube 41 isadju-stably clamped, is capable of telescoping movement within tube athat forms an extension of the tubularv arm 30. Such movement of tube lis limited to a longitudinal direction'by means of a rod 7 5 that isslidably held in two longitudinally spaced guides 76 on said extension30a. The ends of the rod, it will be noted, extend beyond such guides,respectively, and one such end is fixedly Secured to' a collar 7 7 thatis movably mounted on tubular eX- tension 30a between inner guide 76 anda collar 7 8 on such extension that forms a stop; while thev other endof said rod is Vsimilarly fixedly secured'to a-collar 7'9 that isfixedly mounted on tubular member 4()V beyond the Louter guide 76. Eachof the two guides 76 is Vvprovided with an apertured ear 76a and thecollars 77 and 79 are provided with similar apertured ears 77a and 7 9a,said ears being sodisposed that a tension spring 80, having suitablyformed ends, may be disposed either as shown in Fig. 9, with one suchend attached -to the ear 76a of the inner guide and the other endattached to the ear 7 9aon the voutercollar 7 9,.or vice versa, withsuch last 'r'nentionedend attached to ear 76a of the j outerlguide andthe first mentioned end at- -tached to ythe ear 77a on the inner collar.With the spring connected in the manner first describedabove, it willobviously pull the tubular 'member/l0 inwardly, i-. e. to theleft asshown in VFigs.'7 and 9, While when said spring is connected inthereversemanner, it willtend to push said tubular member 40outwardly,i.` e., move the same towards the right, the amount oflongitudinal shifting movement thus permitted tubular member 40beinglimited by the space between guides 76 andy collar 78. Y .Y

, As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, both guides 76 are carried by split rings7 6b that may be adjustablyclampedto the tubular Ymember Movement .ofVcollar 77, and thus of tubular member 40, in opposition to spring 80, isderived from a-rocker 81 `that is supportedabout a transverse axis on abracket 82 projecting from the side frame of the press adjacent theupper bearing 11 in which shaft -l() is j ournaled. The upper end of therocker carries as curved plate 84 that is adapted, upon swingingmovement of the rocker, to strike a segmental rib 85 that projects in adownward radial'directionfrom collar 77. The rocker 81v is adjustablyconnected with the one end 86 of atwo arm lever, the other end 87 ofwhich extends downwardly below the arm of the lever so as to hold theroller 88 in position to be struck by this cam.v

v Depending `upon the manner in which spring 80 is connected up and uponwhether plate 84. on rocker 81 engageswith the right or left-hand lsideof the rib 85 on collar 77, said collar will be moved to the right fromthe position shown in Fig. 9, or to the left from the alternativeAposition which said collar will normally occupy if the connections ofthe spring 80 be reversed. Such movement of `the collar willcorrespondingly shift the tube 40, collar 79 on the latter beingconnected with collar 77 by rod 75, and as a result the picker fingerswill likewise be shifted either to the right or to the left, carryingalong therewith the sheet which has been picked up by said fingers. Thisshifting movement is timed to occur just as the suction is about to bereleased so that the sheet will be brought up against the lateral guideson the platen as such sheet is deposited thereon. Depending upon whetherit is desired to align the sheet against stops on ythe right orleft-aand side ofthe platen, provision will be made in the mannerhereinbefore described for thus shifting the parts in question in onedirection or the other.

Having thus described with suiicient detail the construction and mode ofoperation of the severalV component parts of my sheet feeding mechanism,the operation thereof as a Whole may be brieiiy set forth. The verticalshaft 10 will be swung once `for every revolution of shaft 50 through anarc of approXimately 90 degrees first in one direction rack that mesheswith pinion 13 on said shaft .and is controlled in the oppositedirection by the sameV rack, the tension spring 14 being the impellingagent.

Coincidentally with the rotative movement thus imparted to shaft 10, thesleeve 16 is first raised, i. e., when the picker fingers are to bebrought into position over the stack 5, and thereupon, during thehorizontal swinging movement. of the fingers due tothe turning of theshaft 10 about its axis, said sleeve is lowered to lower the fingers inproper posii tion over the platen; and finally, the movements justdescribed are repeated in reverse order as the shaft swings the lingers`back again into position over the stack, thereby campleting the cycle. nY Y .The movement of the sheet from the stack to the platen, it will beseen, is through van (itl approximately arcuate path, the stack being solocated with reference to the upper position of the picker lingers thatthese. will be brought into contact with such sheet at points alignedwith and closely adjacent to the front edge ofthe topmost sheet which isto be transferred. The path of movement in question is as a. matter offact the resultant of al compound vertically reciprocatory andhorizontally oscillatory movement imparted to the sheet transferringdevice. The inclined or cam faced rib 37, by oscillating the tubular arm30 that carries the picker lingers, serves to present the latter inproper position substantially parallel with the sheet von the stack insuch upper position and similarly permits the picker fingers to inclineinto .approximate parallelism with the platen in the lower position ofsuch tubular arm and fingers. It will be understood, of course7 that.the suction producing means are operated .or controlled so that a vacuumis 'created in the tubular arm and through it communicated to thesuction tips when the latter are thus brought over the stack, suchvacuum being maintained until the sheet is transferred into properposition on the platen, whereupon by breaking the vacuum, .the sheet isallowed to remain behind when the sucker fingers start on their returnmovement. ltwill also be understood that the weight of the suckerfingers overbalances the rocker 35 which carries the roller that travels.on said inclined rib 37, although if desired, means such as .spring 36may be added positively to insure such -contact of the ro-ller with therib,

Angular adjustment of the picker fingers to bring the sucker tips whenin their lower position into proper parallel relation with the platen isobtained by loosening the clamp screws 42 and. All, whereupon thefingers may be rotated about the axis of the tubular arm and secured indesired position. Similarly, by varying the angular position of theplate 38 at the upper end of rib`37, the lingers may be brought intoproper parallel relation with the top of the stack 5 The point or ratherthe transverse line, to which the forward edge of the sheet is broughtand deposited on the platen, may be varied by adjusting the angularposition of frame 25 with its parallel guide members about shaft 23,such adjustment., as will be obvious, being effective to shift the axisof oscillation of the sheet transferring device. The upper ends of theslots 2T in said guide members, it will be observed, lie closelyadjacent to said shaft so that such variati-on in angular adjustment ofthe frame will not materially change the position of such upper slotends, or in other words the position of the tubular member 20 when inelevated position. The latter will accordingly bring the picker fingersto substantially the same position when raised, irrespective of any suchadjustment of the frame, such .adjustment affecting .only the positionof 4the tubular member vand thuis of the picker fingers in their lowerposition. As shown in Fig. 5, the elf-ect of swinging the 'frameforwardly, i.. e. to the right from the position' shown in Fig. iscorrespondingly to move the 'lower platen-contacting position of thepicker Vfingers to the forward or upper edge of the platen. Accordingly,it i-s possible without shifting the position -of the stack 5 to varythe position of the sheet on .the platen due to the differentialmovement imparted to the tubifilar member 20 by the inclination of theguide member 26, incidentally-to the lowering yof said tubular memberwhile it is be- .sw-ung from the stack :to the platen.

The present mechanism has been described without reference to anymechanical device for automatically removing the sheet .from the platen`after it has been printed. It should be noted, however, that suitabletiming of the valve controlling the suction .and the proper location Vofthe picker fingers, .so as to engage the sheet .at its forwardedge as itlies on the platen and carries same during the return movement lof thepicker fingers, would constitute of the device herein `disclosed 'asheet delivery instead of a feed mechanism.

The incorporation of my improved sheet feeding mechanism in a Gordon orplaten printing press of standard design, it will be obvious, requiresno reconstruction of such press nor does such feed mechanism preventaccess to the press in the accustomed manner since the vertical shaftthat constitutes the main support of the sheet transferring device isdisposed later-ally adjacent to the platen and the stack is stationedadjacent to said support and beyond the same with-reference t( saidpla-ten. The various operative parts of the mechanism are extremelysimple and may be made of sturdy design so as to withstand the hardestusage. At the same time all necessary `adjustments for insuring theaccurate location of the sheet where desired on the platen are providedfor.

It is also desired again to emphasize the important advantagerpresentedof securing the registration of the sheet on the platen as it is fedthereto. In other words, at the vend of the feeding stroke, the sheet isbrought into accurate register not only against the forward, but alsothe side gauge pins. It will be understood in connection with this phaseof the operation of my improved mechanism. that while the vacuum mayresist separation of the sheet from the picker fingers, the sheet maynevertheless be permitted a relative sliding movementacross the ends ofthe fingers, especially if the vacuum is being relieved at just thisjuncture. The control ofthe vacuum producing means thus to reduce andfinally relieve the vacuum in unison with the movement of the pickerfingers is readily effected by properly timing the operation of thepump, as need not be explained in detail.

Other modes of applying the principle' of my invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being vmade as regardsV themechanism herein disclosed, provided the means statedby any of thefollowing claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:-I

1. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of a supportoscillatory about an approximately vertical axis; a guide member on saidsupport normally occupying a fixed positionrelatively thereto, saidguide member being angularly'adjustable relatively tothe axis of saidsupport; anda horizontally extending member movably mounted on saidguide member and carrying a sheet engaging and moving device. i 2. Inmechanism -of the character described, the combination of a supportoscillatory about an approximately vertical axis; a guide member on saidsupport, said guide member being angularly adjustablerelatively`to theaxis of said support; and a horizontally extending member movablymounted on said guide member and carrying a sheet engaging and movingdevice, said horizontally extending member being oscillatory about anaxis transverse of said guide member.

3. In mechanism ofy the scribed, the combination of a supportoscillatory about an approximately vertical axis; a guide member on saidsupport; a horizontally extending member movably mounted on said guidemember and carrying a sheet eny. gaging and moving device, saidhorizontally Yso extending member being oscillatory about an axistransverse of said guide member; and adjustable means adapted-tooscillate said horizontally extending member incidentally to movementthereof on said guide member.

4. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of a supportoscillatory about and approximately vertical axis; a guide member onsaid support; a horizontally extending'member movably mounted on saidguide member and carrying ay sheet engaging and moving device, saidhorizontally extending member being oscillatory about an axis transverseVof said guide member; and means adapted to oscillate said horizontallyextending member incidentally t-o movement thereof on said guidemember,said means including a cam disposed alongside said guide member, and arocker on said horizontally Vextending member adapted to contact Withsaid cam.

5. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of a supportoscillatory about lan approximately vertical axis; a guide member onsaid support; a horizontally extending member movably mounted oncharacter derzontally extending member;

cam, one portion of said cam being adjustable relatively to the otherportion thereof.

, 6. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of asupport oscillatory about an approximately vertical axis; a guide memberon said support; a horizontally extending member movably mounted on saidguide member `and carrying a sheet engaging and moving device, saidhorizontally extending member being oscillatory about an axis transverseof said guide member; and means adapted to oscillate said horizontallyextending member incidentally to movement thereof on said guide member,said means including a cam disposed alongside said guide member, aVrocker on said horizontally extending member adapted to contact Withsaid cam, and a spring normally retaining said rocker thus in contactWith said cam.

7 In `mechanism of the character described, the combination of avertical shaft oscillatory about itsaxis; a guide member at tached tothe upper end of said shaft so as to be angularly adjustable relativelyto such shaft-axis; a horizontallyextending member movably mounted onsaid guide Vmember and carrying a sheet engaging and Vmoving device; asleeve reciprocable on said shaft; a link connecting said sleeve Withsaid hori- A and means adapted respectively to reciprocate said sleeveand oscillate said shaft.

9. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of avertical shaft oscillatory about its axis; a guide member attached tothe upper end of said shaft so as to be'angularly adjustable relativelyto such shaft-axis; a horizontally extending member movably mounted onsaid guide member and carrying a sheet engaging rand moving de-vrespectively to reciprocate said sleeve and oscillate said shaft, saidmeans including arcuate rack teeth on said sleeve, and a pinion meshingtherewith, whereby reciprocation of said sleeve is unaffected byoscillation of said shaft.

10. In mechanism of the character de'A scribed, the combination of avertical shaft oscillatory about its axis; a guide member attached tothe upper end of said sha-ft so as to be angularly adjustable relativelyto such shaft-axis; a horizontally extending member movably mounted onsaid guide member and carrying a sheet engaging and moving device; asleeve reciprocable on said shaft; a link connecting said sleeve withsaid horizont-ally extending member; and means adapted respectively toreciprocate said sleeve and oscillate said shaft, said means including apinion fixed to said shaft, a reciprocable rack meshing with saidpinion, arcuate rack teeth on said sleeve, and another pinion meshingtherewith, whereby reciprocation of said sleeve is unaffected byoscillation of said shaft.

11. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of asupport oscillatory about an approximately vertical axis; a guide memberon said support; and a horizontally extending member movably mounted onsaid guide member and carrying a sheet engaging and'moving device, suchdevice being angularly adjustable about said carrying member. n

12. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of asupport oscillatory about an approximately vertical axis; a guide memberon said support; and a horizontally extending member movably mounted onsaid guide member and carrying a sheet engaging and moving device, suchdevice being both angularly adjustable about said carrying member andadjustable longitudinally of the same.

13. In mechanism of the character de, scribed, the combination of asupport oscillatory about an approximately vertical axis; a guide memberon said support; a horizontally extending member movably mounted on saidguide member; and a plurality of sheet engaging and moving devicescarried bv said member, said devices being independently angularlyadjustable about said carrying member.

14. In mechanism of the character described, the combinationof a supportoscillatory about an approxi nately vertical axis; a guide member onsaid support; a horizontally extendin member movably mounted on saidguide member; and a plurality of'sheet engaging and moving devicescarried by said member, said devices beingr both independ-v entlyangularly adjustable about said carrying member and independentlyadjustable longitudinally of the same.

15. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of asupport oscillatory about an approximately vertical axis; a guide memberon said support; and a horizontally extending member movably mounted onsaid guide member and carrying a sheet engaging and moving device, saiddevice being shiftable longitudinally of said carrying member.

16. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of asupport oscillatory about an approximately vertical axis; a guide memberon said support; a horizontally extendiiw member movably mounted on saidguide member and carrying a sheet engagingr and moving device, saiddevice being shiftable longitudinally of said carrying member; and meansnormally poitionin'g said device thus longtiudinally ofv said carryingmember.

17. In mechanism of thecharacter described, the combinationof a supportoscillatory about an approximately vertical axis;

a guide member on said support';:a horizontally extending vmembermovably mounted on said guide member and carrying a sheet engaging andmoving'device, said device being shiftable longitudinally of saidcarrying member; means normally positioning said device longitudinallyof said carrying member; and other means adapted periodically todisplace said device Afrom such normal position.

18. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of asupport oscillatory about an approximately vertical axis; a guide memberon said support; a horizontally extending memberfmovably mounted' onsaid guide member and carrying a sheet engaging and moving device, saiddevice being shiftable longitudinally of said carrying member; and meansadjustable vto normally position said device in either of tWo selectedpositions longitudinally of said carrying member. y

19. In mechanism of the character described, the kcombination of asupport oscillatory about an approximately vertical axis; a guide memberon said support; a horizontally extending member movably mounted on saidguide member and carrying a sheet engaging and moving device, saiddevice being shiftable rlongitudinally of said carrying member; meansadjustable to normally position said device in either of tWo selectedpositions longitudinally of said carrying member; and other meansadapted `alternatively periodically to displace said vdevice from one orthe'other of such normal positions.

20. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of avertical shaft oscillatory about its axis; a :guide member attached tothe upper end of said shaft so as one portion of said vcam being1adjustable.

member; a'sleeve reciprocable on said shaft its other end to saidsleeve; suction producing. means connected with said link; a secondtubular member rotatably held within said first tubular member andhaving its interior connected therethrough with said tubular link; asuction finger carried by said second tubular member; vand meanscontrolling theretative position of the latter within said rst tubularmember.

2l. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of avertical shaft oscillatory about its axis; a guide `member attachedtothe upper end' of said shaft so as to be angularly adjustablerelatively to such shaft-axis; a horizontally extending tubular membermovably mounted on said guide member; a sleeve reciprocable on saidshaft;

a tubular link connected at its one end with said tubular member andpivotally attached at its other end to said sleeve; suction producingmeans connected with said link; a second tubular member rotatably heldwithin said'rst tubular member and having its interior connectedtherethrough with said tubular link; a ysuction finger carried by saidsecond tubular member; and means controlling the rotative position ofthe latter within said first tubular member, said means including arocker on saidy secondtubular member and a cam disposed alongsidev saidguidemember wherewith said rocker is adapted to contact. Y

22. In mechanism of the character, described, the combination of avertical shaft oscillatory about its axis; a guide member attached tothe upper end of said shaft so as to be angularly adjustable relativelyto such shaft-axis; a horizontally extending tubular member movablyVmounted on said guide member; a sleeve reoiprocable on said shaft atubular link connected at itsone end with said tubular member andpivotally attached at its other end to said sleeve; suction producingmeans connected with said link; a second tubular 'member rotatably heldWithin said first tubular member and having its interiorconnectedtherethrough with said tubular link; a suction finger carriedby said second tubular member; and means controlling the rotativeposition of the latter within said first tubular member, said meansincluding,r a rockeron said second tubular member and a vcam disposedalongside said guide-m'einmr wherewith said rocker is adapted'toContact,

relative to the other portion thereof. y

23. In mechanism of the character de` scribed, the combination ofVafhorizontally extendingy member carrying av sheet engaging and movingdevice; means supporting saidvmember arranged andconstructed to' impartthereto a'compound vertically recip` vand vsuch reciprocation thereof. Y

24. In mechanism of the character 'described, the combination of ahorizontally extending member carrying a sheet engag ing and movingdevice; means supporting said member arranged andconstructed to impartthereto a compound vertically reciprocatory and horizontally oscillatorymove-V ment; andadjustable means adapted variably to shift the axis ofoscillation of said member incidentally to such reciprocation thereof.

25. In mechanism of the character described, the combination ofahorizontally extending member carrying a sheet engaging and movingdevice; means supporting said member arranged and constructed to impartthereto a compound vertically reciprocatory and horizontally oscillatorymovement; and an angularly adjustable ,guide member for said carryingmember normally occupyin a fixed position. e

l26. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of ahorizontally extending member carrying a` sheet engaging and movingdevice; means supporting said member arranged and constructed to impartthereto a compound vertically reciprocatory and horizontally oscillatorymovement; and means adapted to shift the axis of oscillation of saidmember incidentally to such reciprocation thereof, said member beingalso oscillatory about its own axis.

27. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of ahorizontally extending member carrying a sheet engaging and movingdevice; means supporting said member arranged and constructed to impartthereto a compound vertically reciprocatory horizontally oscillatorymovement; means adapted to shift the axis of. oscillation of said memberincidentally to such re'- ciprocation thereof, said member being alsooscillatory about its own axis; and other means adapted thus to oscillatesaid member incidentally toits reciprocatory movement.

28. In mechanism of the character de scribed, the combination of areciprocable horizontally extending member, said member beingoscillatoryabout its own axis and carrying a sheet engaging and moving device, thelatter being shiftable longitudinally of said member; and meansadaptedto shift the axis of oscillation of said member incidental'- ly to thereciprocation thereof.

29. In mechanism ofthe character de-l the latter being lshiftablelongitudinally -of said member; means normally positioning said devicethus longitudinally of said'member; and other meansI adapted to shiftthe axis of oscillation of said member incidentally to the reciprocationthereof.

30. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of areciprocable horizontallv extendinrfr member said member beingoscillatory about its 4own axis and carrying a sheet engaging and movingdevice,

the latter being shift-able longitudinally of said member; meansnormally positioning said device thus longitudinally of said member;otherl means adapted periodically todisplace said device from suchnormal position; and still other means adapted to shift the axis ofoscillationy of said member incidentally to the reciprocation thereof.

3l. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of alsupport oscillatory about and reciprocable longitudinally of anapproximately vertical axis; an adjustable guide member normallyoccupying a fixed position relatively to said support; a horizontallyextending member movably attached to said guide member and carrying a ysheet engaging and moving device; and con- `vertical plane and normallyoccupying a fixed position relatively to said support; a horizontallyextending member movably attached to said guide member and carrying asheet engaging and moving device; and connections between said supportand said carrying member, whereby oscillatory and reciprocatory movementof the former is imparted to the latter.

33. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of a.support oscillatory about and reciprocable longitudinally of anapproximately vertical axis; an adjustable guide member normallyoccupying a fixed position relatively to said support; ahorizontallyextending member movably attached to said guide member and carrying asheet engaging and moving device; and connections between said supportand said carrying member, whereby oscillatory and reciprocatory movementof the former is imparted to the latter, the latter being' alsooscillatory about its own axis.

34. In mechanism of` the character described, the combination of avsupport oscillatory about reciproeable longitudinally of anapproximately,vertical axis; a guide member angularly adjustable in anapproximately vertical plane and normally occupying a fixed positionrelatively to said support; a

horizontally extending member movably attached to said guide lmember andcarrying asheet engaging and movingl device; and connections betweensaid support and said carryingl member, whereby oscillatory andreciprocatory movement of the former is imparted to the latter, thelatter being also oscillatory about its own axis. y

35. In vmechanism 'of the character described, the combination of asupport oscillatory about and reciprocable longitudinally of anapproximately vertical axis; an adjustable guide member normallyoccupying a fixed position relatively to said support; a horizontallyextending member movably attached to said* guide member and carrying asheet engaging and moving device; connections1 between said' supportAand Saidcarrying member,V whereby oscillatory and reciprocatorymovementof the former is imparted to the latter, the latter being alsooscillatory about its own'axis; and means adapted thus to oscillate saidcarryingmember incidentally to its reciprocatory movement.

36. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of asupport oscillatory about and reciprocable longitudinally of anapproximately vertical axis; a guide member angularly adjustable in anapproximately vertical planeand normally occupying a fixed position.Irelatively to said support; a horizontally'extending member movablyattaehedv to said Aguidev member and carrying a sheet engaging andmoving device; connections between said support and said carryingmember, whereby oscillatory and reciprocatory movement of the ormerisimparted `to the latter, the latter being also oscillatory about its ownaxis; and means adapted thus to oscillate said carrying memberincidentally to its-reciprocatory movement.

37. ln mechanism of the character described, the combination of a.support voscillatory about and reciprocabl'e longitudinallvof lanapproximately vertical axis; a guide Vmember normally occupying a fixedposition relatively to said support; a vhorizont-ally extending membermovably attached to said guide member and carrying a sheet engaging andmoving device, said device `be ing shiftable longitudinally of saidcarrying member; and connections between said support and' said carryingmember, whereby oscillatory and reciprocatory movement of the vformerisimpartedto the latter.

38. In mechanism of the character described, thecombination of a supportoscillatory about and reciprocable longitudinally of an approximatelyvertical axis; a guide member normally occupying a fixed positionrelativelyv to said support; al horizontally extending memberAmovablvat'tach'ed to said guide member and `carrying a sheetengagingand moving'A device, said devicebeing shiftable longitudinallyof said carrying member; means Anormally positioningL said' ylo devicelongitudinally of said carryingmember.; and connections between vsaidsupport and said carrying member, whereby oscillatory and reciprocatorymovement of the former is imparted to the latter.

39. In mechanism o the character described, the combination of a supportoscillatory about and reciprocable longitudinally of an approximatelyvertical axis; a guide member normally occupying a'fixed positionrelatively to said support; a horizontally extending member movablyattached to said guide member and carrying a sheet engag- V ing andmoving device, said device being shiftable longitudinally of saidcarrying Vmember; means normally positioning said device longitudinallyof said carrying memand-connections between said support and saidcarrying member, whereby oscillatory and reciprocatory movement of theformer is imparted to the latter.k n

40. In mechanism of the character described, the combinationv of-asupport oscillatory about and reciprocable longitudinally of anapproximately vertical axis; a guide member normally occupying a fixedposition l relatively to said supporti; ya horizontally extending membermovably attached to said guide member and carrying a sheet engaging andmoving device, said device being shiftable longitudinally of saidcarrying member; meansnormally positioning said device longitudinally ofsaid carrying member; other means; adapted periodically to displace saiddevice fromsufch normal position; and connectionsbetween said supportand said carrying member, `whereby oscillatory vand vreciprocatorymovement of the former is im- Vpartedtowthe latter, the latter beinglalso oscillatory. about its y own axis.

41.*In mechanism of 'thecharacter def scribed, the combinationof asupport oscillatoryy about and reciprocable longitudinally of anapproximately vertical axis; a guide member nonnallyoccupying a ixedposition platen device, a table disposed mainly at one side of thepress, a sheet-transferring arm, means for effecting a movement of saidarm between said table and said platen device, said movement includingrocking about a substantially vertical axis located at one side of thepressl substantially vertical reciprocation and oscillation aboutthe'axis'of the arm, and means for adjusting the position reached bysaid arm with respect vto said platen device. Y-

Signed by me, this 26th day of February,

. CHARLES F. ROOT. y

'.ber; other means adapted vperiodically to disv place Vsaid device fromsuch normal position;

relatively to said support; a horizontally exy ,i

tending member movably attached to said 50 Y guide member and carrying asheet engaging and moving device, said device being shiftablelongitudinally of said carrying member; means normally positioning said,device Ylongitudinally of said r carrying member; i other means adaptedperiodically to displace said device from such normal position;connections between saidgsupport and said carrying member, whereby'oscillatory and reciprocatory movement ofthe formerr is im- Y parted tothe latter, the latter being also oscillatory about` its` own axis; andmeans adapted thus to oscillate said carrying member incidentally to itsreciprocatory movement.y lV 42. In a printingpr-ess, in combination, a

